Metrorider midibuses into service in the Kingston area this weekend. The buses will operate on the revised Kingston bus network, under contract to London Regional Transport by new London Buses' subsidiary Kingston Buses, and subsidiary Stanwell Bus Company, established for tendered routes in Hounslow, using the Westlink and South West Link fleetnames.

London Buses' staff at its Kingston and Norbiton garages are being transferred to the new companies for the operation of the network which was won by London Buses in the most recent LRT tendering round — but busmen at the garages are challenging London Buses' right to change their contracts of employment and transfer them to the new subsidiaries in a Transport and General Workers' Union-supported High-Court action.

In addition to the fullyautomatic MCW midis, the new LBL subsidiary companies will be operating renovated Leyland Nationals, Daimler Fleetlines and MCW Metrobuses on the conventional bus routes in the network.

One route was won by London Country South West which will use a fleet of ex-Greater Manchester Northern Counties-bodied Leyland Atlanteans.